Shoolini University sparks innovation from the hills of Himachal

Shoolini University is making significant efforts to forge a distinct identity as a research and innovation powerhouse in Himachal Pradesh. The university weaves together a rigorous skills-development framework, end-to-end IP support, multi-layered incubation, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

Central to this transformation is SPRINT- Skill Progress through Rapid Intensive and Innovative Training, which is an accelerated, credit-bearing program inspired by Stanford’s mini-MBA. The program aims to equip students with communication, leadership and technical skills, essential to thrive in their academic and professional journey.

Complementing the SPRINT program, there is a robust IP support ecosystem, a triple-TBI incubator network, and state-of-the-art research facilities, most notably the Bio-Innovation Centre funded by a Rs. 9 crore DST-PURSE grant, all of which underpin Shoolini’s mission to turn ideas into impact.

Research-driven mission

While speaking to Dataquest, Atul Khosla, the Vice Chancellor of Shoolini University, recalled the founding principles of the university. Since its inception, Shoolini University has emphasised soft-power investment over brick-and-mortar. “We will not compromise on faculty,” Atul Khosla asserts, describing the early recruitment of global PhDs and Distinguished Senior Professors to establish a culture of research excellence. This philosophy extends to student projects; over 200 patents have been filed via the “Ideas That Matter” program, open even to Class 7 students.

What is the SPRINT initiative?

SPRINT is a mandatory, semester-long credit course designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. It was an initiative introduced in 2012 to take learning beyond classrooms.

Originally for MBA students, SPRINT now spans all UG and PG programs, delivering 3 -5 days of workshops each semester. Over the years, 200 editions have run, and as a result, students have cultivated skills like leadership, teamwork, business plan development, and professional etiquette.

IP ecosystem and commercialisation

Shoolini also offers an IP support system to all students and faculty, a zero-cost pathway to patent their inventions, from prior-art searches through legal drafting, filing and defence.

While under the Ideas That Matter initiative, even class 7 and 8 students can attend year-round workshops to brainstorm, prototype, and secure patents.

Every student or faculty member with a viable idea can access end-to-end patent support. Once patented, innovations can be incubated and commercialised through Shoolini’s commercialisation centre, which has already launched 4-5 spin-off companies, including a tech solutions firm and Shoolini Life Sciences.

Summing up, with SPRINT sharpening student skills, a cradle-to-commercialisation IP pipeline, and robust incubator networks, Shoolini University exemplifies how a focused, people-centric model can turn a Himalayan campus into a national research powerhouse.